Lifestyle
Lifestyle
© Bart Helever
Welcome in Antwerp, it’s time to experiment and explore! To dorm or not to dorm? And what about new friends? Cooking your own meals? Or Antwerp as a fashion city…What are the best spots or events not to miss? We will tell you everything about it!
Wanna feel at home in the city? It takes some time to get to know us, but after that we will be in your heart forever, promise! Whether you are a local or a newbie, Antwerp is full of surprises. Be amazed by the great painters and discover new talent in one of the many culture houses, do some sport at student-friendly prices, party in Antwerp’s nightlife…. Who knows, you might meet your inner circle on StuDay or make new besties during a workshop at CABIN. Before you know it, you will feel completely at home in the city. Let’s build your community!
STAN’s Student Maps
Our beautiful city has a huge leisure offer. Don’t know where to start? We feel you! Our editorial team has bundled the coolest addresses to chill, feel good, date or picnic in the STAN’s student maps. The only city map you actually need to make the most out of your student time here!
We guide you through the highlights and hidden gems of our beloved city and show you how to make the most of your student life on a mini budget, ‘cause you deserve it. Restaurants, cultural houses, meeting places, street art… Antwerp has it all.
Bye Bye Google maps! Pass by STAN to get your hands on a much-wanted copy of the student map. Also be sure to check out our socials!
A big kiss from us and keep the romance alive! 😉
CABIN
Studying in Antwerp is much more than just studying. More than ever, it is also taking care of yourself. From academic year ‘24-’25 we therefore welcome CABIN at GATE15; a warm place where you get the mental and physical space to be yourself and to develop yourself with an inspiring workshop offer. Because not taking care of yourself is so 2022!
Together with JAC, we will create a warm place for Antwerp students to be, meet and discover and to showcase your talents. Because in Antwerp, you develop your own way of life with culture, sports, healthy food, work and studies. We think mental space is an essential part of that. That’s why at CABIN you can check in with yourself, but also find support if you feel (briefly) not okay.
For questions concerning study grants, psychosocial counselling, fear of failure training, help with stress, subsidies, living allowance and more, you can also contact the Student Services Department at your educational institution.
SPORTS
Working out is important to keep the brain alive and kicking. He who studies a lot, needs to relax regularly. Thanks to the Sportsticker+ you get your body going for a whole year!.
Sportsticker + is an initiative of Antwerp’s university and colleges, but above all it is your ticket to an endless range of sports! For just 35 euros a year, you can do zumba, yoga or basketball, among other things. You can even take part in competitions and sports events. By the way, your mutual insurance company also refunds part or all of the sticker.
Also check out the sports offer supply of the city of Antwerp, which is quite something too! Including free outdoor gyms in various parks, Swimming outdoors, in Art-deco gems or close to your dorm,...
A-Card
Discounts at cultural centres, museums or shops? A free swim sesh in the municipal swimming pool? With the free (!) A-card it’s closer than you’d think, so this card is an absolute must in any Antwerp student’s wallet.
Every time you visit an A-card location, for example in a culture centre or the library, you swipe your A-card at the A-card pillar and you collect points! Every 10 points saved will get you countless discounts and (temporary) benefits. YES!
The A-card can be used in libraries, museums, swimming pools, sports centres, etc. You will find more info on the website.
You can also link your A-card to the ‘My Antwerpen’ app, the app for everyone who lives, works or studies in Antwerp. And for everyone who likes to visit.
Credits to facebook.com/AikiPhotos/
© Aiki Photography
StuDay
On the last Thursday of September, we’re taking over Spoor Oost, a stalwart industrial site with a touch of green, to officially kick off the academic year with a bang! It’s the time of the biggest and coolest student party of the year: StuDay.
At StuDay you can chill over a cold beer with the sweet vibes of a genius DJ in the background, get inspired for your first student flat party, score yourself a new sweetheart, munch at the food market and so much more. One not to be missed!
Culture
Antwerp is full of cultural spots. Do you like theatre and film? Check Monty or Bourla theatre. The Cinema (for vintage movies) or Cartoon’s are warmly recommended by locals.
There’s really no shortage of museums in Antwerp: the M HKA, FOMU, KMSKA, Red Star Line… The list is endless and you can visit most cultural houses at student rates. Do you like art or music? Then Het Bos is the place to be. This artistic meeting centre offers concerts by emerging artists, free and supervised craft afternoons, exhibitions by young artists and inexpensive parties with local DJs.
- Tip: even Antwerp colleges and universities have their own extensive cultural events, think expos & performances on and off campus, discounts for cultural group activities and much more! You can find an up-to-date overview on their website.
- Tip: on visit Antwerp, the youth and cultural centres bundle the highlights of their offerings for you. Be sure to follow Jong in Antwerpen on Instagram for weekly inspiration and tips!
- Tip: Antwerp Art has an overview of galleries in Antwerp (free to visit).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Sportsticker+ (35 euros) is available for students and staff of Karel de Grote Hogeschool, Hogere Zeevaartschool, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde and KU Leuven Antwerpen. Most Flemish health insurances refund part or all of the sport pass. Start the registration for a Sportsticker+ here.
Thomas More students can purchase a sports card for €20, which allows you to practice for a whole year at sports clubs or organizations near your campus. Apart from that, it also gets you other advantages to other sporty or cultural activities.
You can get the A-card at the municipal A-card locations; about 70 in total. You can also use the A-card on those locations. All locations of the A-card (in Dutch). More questions about the A-card? Get in touch!
Every week there’s something happening in Antwerp, since the city is buzzing with events! More info about recurring events, like the cultural event Calamartes or the sports event Antwerp 10 Miles, you can find in the Antwerp Student Guide of GATE15. More info on all kinds of other events you can find on different websites, such as This is Antwerp or the calendar of UIT in Antwerpen.
All cultural houses set their own discount rates for young people. One thing is certain: as a student there are several discounts on entry prices. More info and specific prices can be found on the website of the culture houses themselves.
Every working day between 9 am and 5 pm you are welcome at CABIN to get some rest, meet other students and find a listening ear if you need one. You can also borrow tools and have a free coffee, tea or water. For some workshops & activities you just join, for others you can easily register via cabinantwerp.be.
THE TEAM’S TIP!
“A lot of places in Belgium have discounts for students or people under 26. Never hurts to ask! All you have to do is bring your student card with you.”
Anna
